In this guide:

What is primary and secondary scientific literature?

Primary scientific literature comprises scholarly publications that report original research results and discoveries, e.g. research articles published in a journal, conference papers, original documents, creative works. They are very specific and difficult to read if the general subject is not well understood.

Research articles are often divided into the following sections:

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

Secondary scientific literatureinterprets and analyzes primary sources and is generally contained in works such as text books, encyclopedias or review articles.

Finding research articles

You have developed a focused research question, e.g.

How is lower PH seawater affecting calcification of coral skeletons?

Is phage therapy effective to treat E. coli infection? If yes, how does it work?

Identify the keywords and alternative terms, and you can reuse the concept table